Michael Baumgartner: “with gray wolf populations reaching over 400 in Washington State and Oregon, I rise today to warn of the danger they…”

“with gray wolf populations reaching over 400 in Washington State and Oregon, I rise today to warn of the danger they continue to pose for hunters, farmers, and livestock. Gray wolves can consume up to 7 pounds of meat a day. Their primary food sources include deer, elk, and cattle. In August 2025 alone, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that three calves were killed and two injured in just one 30-day period. Folks in our region know why our grandparents worked so hard to control the gray wolf population. They understood that balance must be kept between wildlife preservation and the livelihoods of those who live and work the land. With a significant number of these wolf packs now concentrated in northeastern Washington and with no signs of their growth slowing, Congress should take careful note of our ranchers' perspective. Their continued loss, emotional toll, and frustration caused by inconsistent State and Federal protections demand attention and action. A one-sided policy of unchecked expansion is not the answer. Gray wolf populations have recovered. Now it is time to ask whether our current path reflects balance, fairness, and common sense for rural America.”